Irina touched the blackened stone wall and smiled bitterly. “Let’s just stay here. I don’t wish to return to the peacock village.”

Damien knew that Irina’s sad memories were evoked. He walked to her side and squatted down, then stroked her head and said, “In that case, I’ll go to the peacock village to retrieve your things. It’s dangerous for you to stay by yourself. I’ll use some rocks to block the entrance of the cave first.”

“Mm. I don’t have many belongings there; just one tube top that Curtis made.” Irina specifically instructed. She didn’t want to see anything that belonged to Muir anymore, for it would only add...